Well the forecast was promising for the last few days. A strong north/northeasterly for Sunday, swinging east overnight with rain. Easterly dropping away on Monday then picking back up Monday night and swinging east south east for Tuesday blowing 25mph.
So did it deliver?, well the answer is an emphatic yes.
I made a spur of the moment decision to stay over at the caravan on Sunday. I arrived with about an hour of daylight to spare so by the time the caravan was set up it was all but dark. A disturbed nights sleep followed, partially by the pounding wind and rain and partially by the anticipation of what might show up in the morning.
I stepped out of the caravan just before dawn and immediately startled a Ring Ouzel- a good start. I only walked 10 paces and news of a leaches storm petrel drifting north from the sea watching hide brought about an immediate change of plan. I made my way quickly to the car park at the Blue Bell other birders had the same idea. The sea was away, as the saying goes and despite my best efforts I couldn’t connect with either the second Leaches Petrol or the long Tailed Skua.
Not to be daunted I set off for a wander around the bushes. It became apparent very quickly that there had been a good arrival, Redwings, Blackbirds and Robins were everywhere. A few Goldcrests were about and the screech of a Brambling or two could be heard overhead. There was also plenty of Woodcocks about-all great to see in the damp and dark conditions-proper Autumn.
Around mid-morning the wind eased and some sun shone through-but still no major scarcity.
Then around lunchtime things began to happen-a Pallas’s Warbler, then an Isabelline Wheatear-then two! A very elusive Red-Flanked Bluetail was reported in Easington, then a Bluethroat in Kilnsea. More and more Black Redstarts were appearing as well as the odd Firecrest. At one point it was difficult to decide where to go next with all the news crackling over the radio.
By late afternoon it had calmed down somewhat and after being out since 7.30 I called it a day at about 5 o’clock.
By now the wind had got up again and was forecast to strengthen overnight.The only slight disappointment was that the forecast rain didn’t materialise. Undeterred I was out again at 7.30 this time heading straight for the beach just south of the Warren. It was a magnificent sunrise all I needed was the birds to fly across-I was duly rewarded with eider, woodcock merlin and a few common gulls passing at the right time.
The wind was almost directly coming from the east, and with my limited knowledge of sea watching, I didn’t think it was going to be that good so after the colour had gone out of the sky, I headed for the bushes again.
More Goldcrests and the odd Chiff-Chaff and news that the Bluethroat and both Isabelle Wheatears were still present.
I stood on the canal banking for a while hoping of a chance of a photo of a Woodcock and whilst I saw at least 10 none were quite right for a photo.
There was, however a superb passage of geese-flocks of White Fronted Geese were passing through then a small flock of Bean Geese landed briefly on canal scrape-a great start to the morning.
I carried on wandering around Kilnsea but no sign of anything unusual-then news of a Dusky Warbler (initially called out as Raddes) trapped and ringed in church field added more interest.
I went on to Chalky Point in this quiet period and took some more shots of the Isabelle Wheatear.
News of a Rufous Tailed Robin at Flamborough got pulses racing and my thoughts immediately went towards ‘what could be lurking in the bushes around Kilnsea’ for me unfortunately the answer was very little-I tried my best to find a Firecrest and even had a wander round Kilnsea but to no avail.
Late afternoon brought news of a Humes Warbler but having hung around for half an hour or so, it became apparent that the wind was just too blustery and the patch of scrub just too exposed.
I headed for home around half 3.
What a wonderful couple of days, the anticipation, the weather, the birds and the constant thought of ‘what next?’.
I’m glad we don’t get easterlies every day in October, the magic would soon wear off-however on days like these, the Magic of Spurn is well and truly alive and kicking.
Until next time-thanks for reading.
